Message to the club from 2022-2023 President Julio Batres-Gavidia

"Imagine Growing Together In Rotary"


Dear fellow Rotarians:
 

I remember seventeen years ago, while  I was getting an annual check up, George and I were discussing the need for a hospice in Niagara. George asked me quite bluntly, what are you doing about it? He told me the Rotary Club he belonged to was working on making a hospice in Niagara a reality and he invited me to a meeting. A few months later it was my privilege to become a Rotarian and a proud member of the St. Catharines South Club.

Now that was 16 years, 4 months and 26 days ago and here we are.

I want to first  say…
 

Thank you…

  • to all the members in our club. It is an honour to be trusted with the responsibility of leading this great club as we emerge from the restrictions of the pandemic

  • for the leadership of past presidents, each of whom contributed to the growth and success of the club

  • to the members who have stepped up this year and in the past, bringing new ideas and helping us make a difference in our community, have shown commitment and energy

  • to George and Valerie Fitpatrick for their mentorship and always encouraging me to do more within the community and the club and supporting me in all my professional and personal endevours

  • to Cathy and David Henry for supporting me through all my past and present leadership roles

 

Continuity and Change

The year ahead will be characterized by continuity, and change. Our Rotary Club of St. Catharines will turn to the traditions that have attracted and sustained members for many years, and we will change how we do things as a result of the lessons learned from COVID-19. We will prioritize getting a more formal location for our club. We are grateful for the wonderful hospitality that Cat’s Caboose has extended to us, but we need a more formal place to have our meetings. In addition to securing a more permanent location for our Club, we will use the lessons we have learned about using technology to streamline club administration and communicate more effectively with our members and community members.

Vision

I hope you will all share in my vision for our club:

To grow and continue to be a vibrant, inclusive club known for our members' energy, abilities, and connections to help our local and international community.

Goals

In continuation of the goals set out by our past presidents and board members back in 2018, your 2022-2023 club’s board of directors will work hard towards four goals:

  • Expand our Reach
    We are more than just a group of successful women and men who enjoy each other's company. As Rotarians, we are committed to improving our communities and our world. For this to be accomplished, we must:

    • Grow our membership

    • Build stronger community partnerships

    • Engage around the world

  • Increase our Ability to Adapt
    As the world around us has changed over the past couple of years, we have learned to adapt quickly and creatively, and we have identified and taken advantage of opportunities to grow and serve our community. In other words, we need to…

    • Be creative and entrepreneurial

    • Embrace change

  • Increase our Impact
    Our club has a very long history of contributing to the St. Catharines and International Communities. Our community service, youth committees and international committee have ably shown the way and it is up to us to be sure that the initiatives, time and funds that members have contributed achieve significant ends. To do this we will…

    • Make a difference in our community

    • Focus on results while enforcing checks and balances

  • Enhance Member and Partner Engagement
    People join Rotary for many different reasons. Sometimes they leave the club because they were not finding the rewards they were seeking. If we want to increase the number of people who stay with us, we must…

    • Have fun

    • Remember why we joined Rotary

    • Reflect on what we are giving back to the community

    • Engage more with our club members 

Theme

RI President Jennifer Jones  recently asked all Rotary Clubs around the world to, “Imagine Rotary.”

Here in St. Catharines South, I would like to propose to add to our theme and to…

 
Imagine Growing Together in Rotary…

… as a club

… with our families

… with our Niagara Community.

 

Thank you again for this opportunity.


Julio Batres - Gavidia

Rotary Club President - 2022-2023